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News Release - Manitoba

– – –Historic Partnership between First Nation, Industry to Advance Mineral Exploration in the North: Pedersen

RED SUCKER LAKE FIRST NATION—A partnership between the Red Sucker Lake First Nation and Yamana Gold Inc. has taken a significant step forward with the signing of an exploration agreement for mineral development activities within the traditional territory of the First Nation, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen announced here today.

“It’s a pleasure to be here today to celebrate this historic agreement,” said Pedersen. “Strategic partnerships between First Nations and industry are a positive way of ensuring First Nations can be active partners in all phases of mineral development, to create and share in the benefits of growth.”

Pedersen noted the exploration agreement is for the Monument Bay gold-tungsten project. Recent operations including an on-site exploration camp and drilling program have confirmed high-grade gold mineralization, and further exploration is the next step in the process, he said.

“Mineral development in the north is a major part of the long-term prosperity of the region,” said Pedersen. “By building respectful partnerships with First Nations to sustainably develop northern resources, our work to advance reconciliation continues.

“This new agreement supports a key recommendation of the Manitoba-First Nations Mineral Development Protocol, which states that improving relationships through engagement and enhanced community participation is essential to advancing mineral development projects.”

“The council of Red Sucker Lake First Nation and I are proudly encouraged to achieve this significant mineral exploration agreement with Yamana Gold Inc.,” said Chief Samuel Knott, Red Sucker Lake First Nation. “This agreement ensures the protection of our treaty rights when companies like Yamana Gold want to develop the land and resources within our traditional territory. We would like to thank our elders, community members, Yamana, the Manitoba government and Ishkonigan for their support in achieving this historic agreement.”

“We are pleased to be working with the province and Red Sucker Lake First Nation to advance our Monument Bay Project,” said Peter Marrone, executive chairman, Yamana Gold Inc. “While we are at the exploration stage only, our objective remains to complete the required work toward development of a mine. This will take time and require considerable effort from us and co-operation with various rights holders and stakeholders although we are committed to pursuing our objective of developing business enterprises in northern Manitoba and, in particular, areas that are part of traditional territory of Red Sucker Lake First Nation.”

Pedersen noted the Look North Report and Action Plan for Manitoba’s Northern Economy highlights mining as a long-time net contributor to the economic prosperity of the province. Conversations with northern communities as part of the Look North initiative have confirmed that mineral development continues to be a top priority in the region, he added.

The mining and petroleum industries make up the largest primary resource industry of Manitoba’s economy, and the 2017 value of mining production in Manitoba totaled $1.37 billion, Pedersen added.

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For more information:

Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.